RV industry leaders say rebound picking up speed

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — The RV industry is enjoying a smooth ride as the recession that devastated it fades into the distance.

Industry leaders say key manufacturers and suppliers have announced recent expansions, the stock market is at an all-time high and consumers are more confident in the future.

Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council executive director Mark Bowersox tells the South Bend Tribune (http://bit.ly/1wxZ2O5 ) the rebound is being fueled by retirements of baby boomers and an increase in the number of younger people interested in RVs.

The changes are a vast improvement over 2009. Elkhart County’s unemployment rate jumped to nearly 19 percent that year as the industry saw orders plummet.

Economic Development Corp. president Dorinda Heiden-Guss says the recovery is so strong that the county is planning 40,000- and 100,000-square-foot expandable spec buildings.